North Dakota: government, population and official figures

North Dakota is a state of the United States, number 47 of 51 by population. North Dakota had an estimated 799,358 residents on 1 July 2025, 0.2% of the population of the 50 states and DC; 5th smallest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population grew by 0.75%, 14th fastest-growing of 51.

Who runs North Dakota?

The governor is Kelly Armstrong. Governor's office. Phone: 1-701-328-2200. Address: 600 East Boulevard Avenue Bismarck , ND 58505.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in North Dakota: The economy of North Dakota (gross domestic product) was worth $82.3 billion in 2025 at current prices, 0.3% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 6th smallest of 51. In current dollars it was up 1.0% on 2024.
• Health in North Dakota: Life expectancy at birth in North Dakota was 77.9 years in 2022, 17th longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
• Education in North Dakota: 85.1% of public high school students in North Dakota graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); 18th lowest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
• Poverty and living standards in North Dakota: The Census Bureau estimates that 10.8% of people in North Dakota lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 82,590 people; 22nd lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
• Government budget and revenue in North Dakota: North Dakota's state government took in $11.7 billion in fiscal year 2024, $14,689 per resident, 2nd highest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Official bodies in North Dakota

• North Dakota
• Department of Agriculture
• Health and Human Services
• Consumer Protection
• Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
• Local governments
• The United States Attorney's Office - District of North Dakota
• Department of Public Instruction
• Elections and Voting
• Department of Emergency Services
• Public Health
• Motor Vehicles
• Office of the Attorney General

Largest cities in North Dakota

1. Fargo 136,275 (2025)
2. Bismarck 77,963 (2025)
3. Grand Forks 60,365 (2025)

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

• California 39,355,309
• Texas 31,709,821
• Florida 23,462,518
• New York 20,002,427
• Pennsylvania 13,059,432
• Illinois 12,719,141
• Ohio 11,900,510
• Georgia 11,302,748
• North Carolina 11,197,968
• Michigan 10,127,884
• New Jersey 9,548,215
• Virginia 8,880,107
• Washington 8,001,020
• Arizona 7,623,818
• Tennessee 7,315,076
• Massachusetts 7,154,084
• Indiana 6,973,333
• Missouri 6,270,541
• Maryland 6,265,347
• Colorado 6,012,561
• Wisconsin 5,972,787
• Minnesota 5,830,405
• South Carolina 5,570,274
• Alabama 5,193,088
• Louisiana 4,618,189
• Kentucky 4,606,864
• Oregon 4,273,586
• Oklahoma 4,123,288
• Connecticut 3,688,496
• Utah 3,538,904
• Nevada 3,282,188
• Iowa 3,238,387
• Arkansas 3,114,791
• Kansas 2,977,220
• Mississippi 2,954,160
• New Mexico 2,125,498
• Idaho 2,029,733
• Nebraska 2,018,006
• West Virginia 1,766,147
• Hawaii 1,432,820
• New Hampshire 1,415,342
• Maine 1,414,874
• Montana 1,144,694
• Rhode Island 1,114,521
• Delaware 1,059,952
• South Dakota 935,094
• Alaska 737,270
• District of Columbia 693,645
• Vermont 644,663
• Wyoming 588,753

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Sources

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